The original language of the speech is Swedish
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Madame President, esteemed members of parliament, ministers, Nordic friends,
As I have said before, I have never felt so Nordic as I do now. This feeling has not diminished at all – in fact, it has grown. When I think of the Nordic countries, I feel secure.
I am quite sure that many of you – Nordic members of parliament – feel the same way when thinking about everything happening in our turbulent world.
We live in a time where we are surrounded by storms. Predictability has been replaced by instability. What was once a respectful co-existence is now being challenged by one uncertainty after another.
Old truths and loyalties are being torn asunder. The line between the truth and lies is being blurred. Many of us have surely asked the question: What can we trust any more?
But, in the midst of it all, there is a glimmer of hope: the one thing that feels as solid as our bedrock is none other than our Nordic community, our Nordic cooperation. Something we can always rely on, no matter how hard the storms howl.
This Nordic cooperation has perhaps never been as natural, trusting and predictable as it is today. Indeed, we should more often set aside our modesty, congratulate ourselves and simply acknowledge that the Nordic model of society has throughout history topped international comparisons.
Our model is built on shared values that feel more important today than ever before: democracy, the rule of law, human rights, equal opportunities, equality and sustainability.
This is a description of the Nordic rule of law and welfare society, where we hold fast to our commitment to take care of each and every one of our citizens. This conviction cannot be measured on a quarterly basis, because it is timeless. A firm belief that respect for human dignity is not some form of political capital.
I have never felt so gratified by the predictability, stability and farsightedness that characterise our way of thinking in the Nordic societies. And, there is certainly no lack of innovation here, either. Our ingenuity has produced numerous industrial inventions that literally keep the gears, or ball bearings, running all over the world. Do we remember this often enough?
Perhaps we do not always pay attention to the more intangible aspects of the Nordic success story. Perhaps we are being unnecessarily modest by not actively highlighting how, in spite of everything, we have managed to hold on to the most important thing in human interaction: mutual trust.
The fact is, namely, that our societies are still characterised by extensive and measurable confidence in both our social institutions and our fellow citizens. Think about how absolutely precious collective human capital is in this age of broken promises!
Trust is the foundation stone of the Nordic countries.
This trust, fellowship and confidence is not something that just happens overnight. The Nordic countries share past experiences in both war and peace. Even though we were not always on the same side, things ended well for us.
During the post-war period, the Nordic countries developed in accordance with their own needs and realities, but all the while in consensus on the common goals – much like the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers.
We have followed the principles of Nordic utility, what we can preferably do together than by ourselves. What we have learned from each other and have been able to follow each other’s tried and true examples. In other words, the actual core of Nordic cooperation, along with the boundless, friendly exchange within and between our civil societies.
We can also share experiences in mediating peace, peacekeeping and crisis management in challenging situations. We are curious and learn from each other’s preparedness work and models for total defence and security of supply.
In a time when good advice comes at a cost, free wisdom is invaluable.
Resilience used to be very much a government buzzword. Today, resilience is a mindset that is built into Nordic preparedness thinking, because, ultimately, resilience also stems from alert individuals taking responsibility for themselves and others.
Also here we are sharing our experiences.
At the same time, we understand that defence is more than just steel and gunpowder. We know that, in addition to its singular intrinsic value, culture is also an essential part of our collective mental preparedness and identity, ensuring security of supply for the soul.
Actually, culture is in many ways the answer to the question: What is worth defending?
It is no coincidence that Nordic colleagues are drawn to each other like magnets in international contexts. In cultural terms, we share the same point of view. The values held by the five Nordic countries are so similar that they merge into a shared set of values.
This is directly linked to security and defence. We must know what we are defending. In the Nordic countries, we know precisely what that is. We are defending our values, our model for society, our culture, our shared trust, our integrity.
Nordic defence cooperation has also its common structures, mainly through NORDEFCO, which was established in 2009. It is a forum for the five Nordic countries, which are now all NATO members. The starting points, objectives and meaning of cooperation are based on our common geopolitical situation and similar challenges and threats.
Dear friends,
The theme for the Presidency of Finland and Åland in the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025 can be summed up in two words that most aptly describe the Nordic countries: united and strong.
United – because we five Nordic countries are closer to one another than we have ever been, including in our security policies. And strong – because we five small countries must stick together to more effectively meet the challenges that, just a few years ago, we thought had been consigned to history.
Together we are stronger.
Nordic defence cooperation can involve logistical support and strengthening of infrastructure – on land, at sea, in the air and digitally. We also need to simplify cross-border cooperation in defence. In Lapland, for example, this has long been part of daily operations, such as Cross Border Training of the air forces. But there is still much to do, particularly in terms of legislation.
We can also do better when it comes to joint procurements, in other words, we should do more of them, despite the challenges. Industrial cooperation is important. The Finnish and Norwegian defence industries, for example, are already linked in many ways.
There is a lot we can do together in the defence sector in the years to come. But looking at the Nordic countries as a whole, we already have impressive capabilities. With a total of approximately 250 modern fighter aircraft, the Nordic countries have a substantial defence force.
This also illustrates the essence of Nordic defence cooperation. In our strong, united Nordic family, we enjoy boundless trust and shared space, no closed doors and no secrets.
Security is holistic. In the Nordic countries, we understand the importance of society as a whole. Each and every contribution counts, both in normal times and crisis situations. There must be seamless cooperation between the public and private sectors. Every level must be included: the state, regions, municipalities and individuals.
The threat to our security today is not only military. Preparedness to deal with hybrid threats is also crucial, and here too we in the Nordic countries have led the way.
Above all, resilience comes from a strong consensus built on a rock-solid foundation, which also serves as the basis for equality, social justice, a strong and open education system, independent media and lively social discourse.
However, attacks on our values, on our societies, are becoming increasingly devious. When hybrid attacks are evolving rapidly, we must do the same. In the Nordic countries, we can also share the lessons we learn with each other. The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, in which all Nordic countries are member states, was formed for this very purpose.
Ukraine plays an increasingly major role in Nordic regional cooperation. The Nordic countries are leading the way in providing support for Ukraine. That support is in our own interests. It is also based on our shared values.
The Nordic countries have always been strong advocates and defenders of the international rules-based order. Ukraine is fighting not only for its sovereignty, but also for all of Europe and the rules-based world order, which is being threatened today in so many malicious ways.
Dear Nordic friends,
The world today is very much about strength – about the struggle between forces and wills. The struggle for prestige, to be right, to look like a winner. When it comes to this, the Nordic voice cannot be the loudest. It is not even worth trying to be, as this has never been our goal.
But tone is more than just volume. The Nordic tradition is to try to offer remedies and solutions. I am convinced that conciliatory, solution-oriented messages are viable in today’s world. I am also certain that the Nordic mission is to build bridges. To undo knots of prestige and find ways forward.
If you are looking for timeless ideas and good advice for dealing with today’s pressing needs, look no further than children’s literature.
We all remember what Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking exclaimed in her moment of victory: “If you are very strong, you must also be very kind.”
Perhaps one day this secret export product from Villa Villekulla will reach the halls of power in the world.
Thank you!
